GHANA TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

COURSE OUTLINE

FACULTY OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

NAME OF DEPARTMENT
BSC. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (BIT)

RESEARCH METHODS

COURSE CODE: ICT 392

LEVEL: 300
SECOND SEMESTER 2023 / 2024 ACADEMIC YEAR

CREDIT HOURS: 3
LECTURER: DR. SOLOMON SARPONG
OFFICE LOCATION: DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL AND
MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES, UESD, SOMANYA
MOBILE: 0244149600
EMAIL: [email protected]
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to introduce students to Foundations of Empirical Social Research, discuss
appropriate research concepts and processes and encourage students to apply these to solve
problems or answer questions. Emphasis will be given to issues and concerns from both micro and
macro levels of development for illustrations.

The course will focus on instructing students in the theory, tools, techniques, processes and
approaches from developing a researchable research topic to the final reporting on the research.
The course will include foundations of empirical social research, the social research process,
research proposal, quantitative and qualitative research, elements of validity, reliability and
measurement in research, study/ research design, techniques of sampling, data collection, field
experience and analysis, as well as interpretation and reporting of research results.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES

Primary objective is to develop a research orientation among the students and to acquaint them
with fundamentals of research methods.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

Develop understanding of the basic framework of research process.

Develop an understanding of various research designs and techniques.
Identify various sources of information for literature review and data collection.
Develop an understanding of the ethical dimensions of conducting research.
Appreciate the components of scholarly writing and evaluate its quality.
Provide the tools and skills required to understand research terminology and assess
published research
Design a research proposal
Begin initial preparations for embarking on your final project work
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES
I. Students are to note that they are responsible for knowing what is to be studied, deadline
for assignment, quiz, group work and online discussion always. Read ahead before you
come to lectures [ Face-to-face and Online]. You are to prepare all the time for your class
presentation. Excuse of not being aware or coming late will not be accepted.
II. Students are to be in lectures on time. [ Face-to-face and Online]
III. Using any technological devices in class is not allowed until you are told to do so. Texting,
‘Whatsapping’, ‘Facebooking’ etc. are NOT permitted [unless you have permission from
the lecturer]

TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS

Blended learning mode (face to face and online)

LITERATURE AND READING MATERIALS

Essential Readings
Cooper, D. R. And Schindler P. S. (2014) Business Research Methods. 12th ed. New York:

McGraw-Hill/Irwin

Saunders, M. Lewis, P. Thornhill, H. (2009) Research Methods for Business Students. 5 th ed.

Pearson Education Limited, London.

Recommended Readings
1. Denscombe, M. (2007). The Good Research Guide: for Small-Scale Research Projects.

Buckingham: Open University Press. Third Edition.

2. Hennink, M., Bailey, A. and Hutter, I. (2011). Qualitative Research Methods. Los Angeles:

SAGE.

3. O'Leary, Z. and O'Leary, Z. (2010). The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project.

Los Angeles: Sage.

 4. Jones, L. and Somekh, B. (2005). Observation. In: B. Somekh and C. Lewin, eds. Research

Methods in the Social Sciences. London: Sage Publications. Ch 16.

5. Blumberg, E. Cooper, D., Schindler, P. (2005). Business Research Methods McGraw Hill,
N.Y.

6. Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (1990). Grounded theory research: Procedures, canons, and
evaluative criteria. Qualitative Sociology, 13, 3-21

7. Gray, D.E. (2004). Doing Research in the Real World, Sage, London

8. Newman, W.L. (1997). Social Research Methods – Qualitative and Quantitative

Approaches 3rd Ed. Allyn and Baron, London

9. Tumasi, P. A. (1986). Social Research in Rural Communities: The problems of Fieldwork

in Ghana. Ghana Universities Press, Accra.

10. Adams, J. Khan, H. T. A. Raeside, R. White, D. (2007). Research Methods for Graduate
Business and Social Science Students. Sage Publications

11. Greenfield, T. (2016). Research Methods for Postgraduates, 3rd ed. John Wiley & Sons Ltd

COURSE ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE

Grading Criteria

Assessment type Grade

Mid semester exams 20%
Class assignment 10%
End of semester exams 70%
TOPICS AND COURSE SCHEDULE

Week Topic Content Chapter

Ref.
ONE COURSE Discussion of Course Outline Saunders
OVERVIEW Class rules and principles et al,
(2009)
Assignment
TWO INTRODUCTION Meaning of Research Saunders
&THREE Attributes of a good research et al,
Objectives of Research (2009) Ch.
Motivation in Research 1 pg. 2-9
Types of Research
Importance of Research
Research Methods versus
Methodology

FOUR FORMULATING Research topic Saunders

RESEARCH TOPIC Research problem et al,
Research objectives (2009) Ch.
Research questions / research 2 pg. 20-
hypothesis 41
Research proposal

FIVE REVIEWING THE Literature search Saunders

LITERATURE Introduction et al,
Purpose of literature review (2009) Ch.
Sources of literature 3 pg. 58-
Conducting Developing a theoretical 98
framework
Developing a conceptual framework
Paraphrasing and Plagiarism
Referencing (In-text and end-text)

SIX RESEARCH Meaning of research design Saunders

DESIGN Features of a research design et al,
Types of research design (2009) Ch.
5 pg. 136-
160
SEVEN SAMPLING Introduction – census and sample Saunders
DESIGN survey et al,
The need to sample (2009) Ch.
Steps in sampling 7 pg. 210-
Criteria of selecting a sample 233
procedure
Characteristics of a good sample
design
Types of sample design – probability
and non-probability
Sample size determination

EIGHT MID-SEM EXAM

NINE METHODS OF Quantitative Data collection Saunders
DATA Methods et al,
COLLECTION Qualitative Data Collection Method (2009)
Sources of data Ch.8-11
Selection of appropriate method for pg.
data collection selected
Collection of primary data pages
Observation
Interview
Questionnaire
Schedule
Collection of secondary data
Features of a good secondary data

Types of secondary data –

documentary, multiple source and
survey
Finding secondary data

TEN PROCESSING Methods of processing data – Saunders

AND ANALYSING processing operations et al,
DATA Problems in processing (2009) Ch.
Meaning of qualitative and 12,13 pg.
quantitative data selected
 Preparing qualitative data for
analysis
Approaches to qualitative analysis
Types of qualitative analysis
processes
Deductively based analytical
approach
Inductively based analytical
approach
Exploring and presenting
quantitative data

ELEVEN ETHICS AND Meaning and importance of ethics Greenfield,

RESEARCH Ethical issues during the formulation T. (2016)
of the research topic page 46
Ethical issues during research design
and gaining access
Ethical issues during data collection
Ethical issues during data processing
and storage
Ethical issues during data analysis

TWELVE END OF
SEMESTER
EXAM